XBODY Australia Pty Ltd
PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge,…
read morePublic parks and recreation amenities play an important role in facilitating physical activity especially in low income communities, according to visiting United States academic Professor Myron Floyd.
Professor Floyd is the second international researcher to visit UniSA in 2010 as part of the universityâs new Distinguished Researcher Award.
UniSA is bringing five distinguished researchers to Adelaide under the new program to boost research collaborations and outcomes.
Professor Floyd is a faculty member in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University. He is a lead investigator of Investigating Places for Active Recreation in Communities (IPARC), an initiative to promote greater understanding of how parks contribute to physical activity and health.
His research focuses on the role of parks and recreation amenities in facilitating physical activity especially in low-income communities, the influence of race and ethnicity on leisure activity preferences, and environmental justice in relation to public parks.
During a public seminar at Mawson Lakes Campus last Friday, Professor Floyd spoke on recent research findings into the contribution of public parks to physical activity and health.
Professor Floyd stated that "we know that obesity is a major problem in the developed world, and part of the problem is that people are not active in their leisure time.
"Research has shown that in the United States, overweight-obesity and lack of physical activity are in the top four causes of death attributable to individual risk, behind tobacco and high blood pressure.
"I've been researching how parks can be part of the inactivity-obesity solution and have found they have a large role to play."
Professor Floyd said parks were readily accessible and available, with 75% of United States households being within two miles of a park system.
Professor Floyd said research evidence was consistent in showing that availability of parks is related to increased activity. However, there was limited understanding of how use of parks translates into physical activity.
"In the parks we observed, people were more active on the paths through walking and jogging, but expended the least energy in the baseball fields and in the dog areas, where people tended to sit and watch their dogs rather than exercise with their dogs.
"In children, we found boys were more active on an informal basis â they were more likely to pick up a basketball and have an impromptu game. Girls, on the other hand, needed more formal, organised activities with a coach or supervising adult."
Professor Floyd said while parks and sporting facilities held potential to increase physical activity in populations at risk, he was keen to conduct further research into the quality of parks in various communities, and look at whether better quality facilities in low income areas would further boost physical activity among residents.
Professor Floydâs visit to UniSA was secured through the UniSA International Research Collaboration Support Program. He is being hosted by Dr Delene Weber from the School of Natural and Built Environments and in Adelaide until 21st April.
For more information go to www.unisa.edu.au/news/2010/150410.asp
18th May 2009 - ENVIRONMENT TO BLAME FOR OBESITY
27th June 2008 - PARKS FORUM HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF PARKS
Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.
However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.
Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.
Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.
Click here to subscribe.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge,…
read moreMETRA Australia is your innovation partner for smart electronic locking, Access Control solutions and cashless payment systems to suit all types of leisure facilities. Our team’s…
read moreKnown as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd
read moreClubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…
read moreAs of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd. 19th July 2018 - ENTA AUSTRALASIA REBRANDS AS VIVATICKET 17th October 2016…
read moreIntelligenz provides Leisure Management Software for managing all your Program Registrations, Facility Bookings, Membership Sales and POS Transactions; including detailed Reporting, automated…
read moreYellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…
read moreA leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!